Hot Cross Bun Goes Huge

It was their chance to beat the current world record - and staff and visitors at Saltholme wildlife reserve were only too happy to oblige. The Teesside centre was the final leg of a journey which saw the world’s largest hot cross bun come to Teesside. Baked in Bolton at Greenhalgh’s - the only bakery in the country with a big enough oven to cope with the breadth of the 8ft creation - the bun was unveiled to a cheering crowd. To beat the existing record, the bun had to weigh more than 105kg - or 16.5 stones. The RSPB have unveiled a giant hot cross bun at its Saltholme wildlife reserve   weighing a whopping 169 kg, it sets the new world record for the Largest hot cross bun.  The bun contained   over 145 lbs of flour   and measured a gigantic  size when it got its finishing touches.

The Saltholme reserve, a beautiful wetland retreat in the heart of Teesside, hosted the grand unveiling of the record-breaking bun, after it was transported from Greenhalgh's bakery in Bolton, the only bakery in the UK with an oven big enough to accommodate the giant tin. Weighing the equivalent of 2,300 regular hot cross buns, the World's Largest Hot Cross Bun was baked in a custom-made tin that is due to be reused as a birdbath at the RSPB Head quarters once local residents have eaten  the Easter Treat.

A hot cross bun is a sweet, spiced bun made with currants or raisins and marked with a cross on the top which is traditionally eaten on Good Friday.   The bun took a team of five professional bakers a whole day to prepare and make, with over 65 kg of flour and enough currents to stretch to the top of Nelson's column if laid out.

Ben Calvert the Visitors and  Promotions Officer  said    that they weren't sure about setting the record  minute  but  eventually  broke   it as well.  Calvert felt hard to believe and commented that the taste was amazing  .

Greenhalgh's  Production Director, David Smart, added: 'As a family craft bakery we are used to hand crafting delicious bespoke items but this was one of the most unusual requests yet. We were delighted to be tested on such a large scale and to help achieve a notable World Record whilst assisting a worthwhile charity.

The Largest Hot Cross Bun weighed 169 Kg and was set by RSPB Saltholme at Saltholme, United Kingdom on April 5, 2012.